SLC8A3

Sodium/calcium exchanger 3 is a protein in humans that is encoded by SLC8A3 gene. Mediates the electrogenic exchange of Ca(2+) against Na(+) ions across the cell membrane, and thereby contributes to the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels and Ca(2+)-dependent cellular processes. Contributes to cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis in excitable cells, both in muscle and in brain. In a first phase, voltage-gated channels mediate the rapid increase of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels due to release of Ca(2+) stores from the endoplasmic reticulum. SLC8A3 mediates the export of Ca(2+) from the cell during the next phase, so that cytoplasmic Ca(2+) levels rapidly return to baseline. Contributes to Ca(2+) transport during excitation-contraction coupling in muscle.